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Siegbert Tarrasch vs Akiba Rubinstein
San Sebastian (1911), San Sebastian ESP, rd 6, Feb-28
French Defense: Rubinstein Variation. Blackburne Defense (C10)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Dec-22-04  fred lennox: An exellent rook ending by Rubinstein.
After 31.Rxd7 blacks position does look grim.
Dec-22-04  drukenknight: is there anyway for white to play for a win in this? I tried 36 a4 w/ crap pc, and white finally queened his h pawn, but I dont trust it, do any of the endgame experts have a thought? the chesslab line begins:

36. a4 Kf4
37. a5 Kf3
38. a6 Re2+
39. Kd1 Kxf2
40. Rf6 Rxb2
41. Rxf5+ Ke3

Dec-22-04
Premium Chessgames Member
  beatgiant: <drukenknight>:
I think it is still a draw. The improvement over chesslab's line is 36. a4 Kf4 37. a5 Kf3 38. a6 f4! so that if 39. a7 Rc1+ 40. Kd2 Ra1 41. Rb7 Kxf2, and Black also has dangerous pawns, or 39. Rf4 Rxb2 40. a7 Ra2 41. Rf7 h5 42. Re7 Ra1+ 43. Kd2 Ra2+ 44. Kc1? Kxf2 45. Rxe4 f3 is more than enough for Black.
Dec-16-05  JG7: This is probably the closest Tarrasch came to deafeating Rubinstein alas it wasnt to be and their final lifetime score was +8=12 to Rubinstein.
Dec-10-11  whiteshark: Here is an analysis of the ♖endgame: http://www.chesslodge.com/2008/02/e...
May-04-17  Count von Twothree: 36.a4 probably wins. Taking beatgiant's line, White can improve with 39.Kd1 e.g. Rxf2 40.Rb3 Rf1+ 41.Kc2 Ra1 42.Ra3 Rg1 43.b4 Ke2 44.a7 Rg8 45.b5 f3 46.b6 f2 47.Ra1 wins
Oct-22-17  Count von Twothree: Tarrasch's 36th move is in several sources awarded an exclamation mark. Given that a) the position is now transformed from a winning one to one that is merely drawing and b) instead 36a4 leads to a win with best play (albeit a very difficult one), technically this move is more deserving of a double question mark.
Jun-18-18  Omnipotent00001: 40...h6 draws
Jun-18-18  john barleycorn: <Omnipotent00001: 40...h6 draws>

Apparently, 40...h5 did so, too.

Jun-26-18  Count von Twothree: This endgame has been fundamentally mis-assessed. Rubinstein's much-lauded decision to give up the second pawn in favour of rook activity with 32...Rd8 was a serious error which could have led to a loss (after 36.a4 instead of Tarrasch's erroneous 36.Rb5). Instead, something like 32...h5 seems to be drawing, even if the rook has to go passive temporarily e.g. after 33.Ra6 Rb8. In short, people have been blinded by a) the result of the game and b) the identity of the player playing Black. Objectively, the "keep your rook active" rule leads to a lost game in this specific case, whereas holding on to the b-pawn with a more passive rook seems to draw with best play.
Feb-20-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  Ziryab: 36.a4 does appear to lead to a queen ending that favors White, but Tarrasch must first see 12 moves deep to the rook exchange, then properly assess the queen ending. There is some comfort knowing that White cannot lose the queen ending, though.

Practically, the active rook is usually a better option.

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